Methodology

Our educational consultants work directly with the medical team at our partner medical institution to develop an individualized, long-term program for each teen, which encompasses the intervention and educational phases of our methodology.

At every stage of the evaluation, STICC conducts interviews with the family to assess financial need, determine the family’s ability to support a challenging 18-24 month process, and to explain the recommendations of our team.

Parents must sign a contract, and agree to contribute to their child’s care every month for the duration of the program.

The child is now ready for intervention.

Intervention

Entering a wilderness program or rehabilitation center serves to remove the teen from the existing environment, put an immediate stop to the dysfunctional behavior and/or substance abuse, and diffuse family conflict.

Wilderness programs are particularly effective because they teach self-reliance while including a large therapeutic component. Rehabilitation centers treat substance abuse as a disease, and can be very effective for the severely addicted youngster. Either program serves to radically change the dynamic, and allow the child to focus on the underlying cause of the self-destructive behavior.

STICC’s role is to coordinate and provide the funding (and/or scholarships) for the intervention program, the parents’ travel, and even escort services for the children, as most teenagers do not take this step willingly.

Education & Recovery

The most lengthy and expensive stage in a teen’s 18-24 month recovery plan is education and recovery, where modest gains that are made in the intervention are then leveraged and expanded. It is here that the self-realization that allows the child to effectively deal with life’s challenges begins to occur.

Educational programs are not simply boarding schools, but speak to the complete development of the child. They support the child’s intellectual, emotional, social, and physical progress by providing a nurturing and safe environment with academic support, group and individual therapy, recreation, and wilderness experiences. Schools also provide workshops for the parents so that they can participate fully in their child’s recovery and personal growth. In the same vein, STICC’s families receive the ongoing guidance and emotional support of a group of dedicated parents who have already been through this process.

Success

The teen moves on to college or a job, with STICCy results that last a lifetime.